Filter stuck on a 17-40/4L

<p>I spent about an hour in extremely dusty and sandy conditions with a 17-40/4L recently. The lens itself is fine, thanks to sealing, but the Hoya plain glass protector is stuck. Suggestions? I do know about dedicated filter-removal tools but I don't care so much about the protector/filter as about the front parts of the lens. Any risk they will break if I apply force?</p>

<p>use a large wide rubberband. put the rubberband around only the filter <br>

it should then come off easily</p>

<p>"...if I apply force?..."</p>

<p>Actually, the more force you apply the harder it will be to get the filter off....heh....the reason your filter is not coming off easily is because when you grab it with your hand you are not applying equal force on every part of the circumferance of the filter....thus elongating it...making it into a slight oval vice circle and is wedging itself into the lens threads.</p>

<p>That is what the special filter wrench does for you. It keeps equal pressure everywhere. I have sometimes removed a stubborn filter by placing it on the bottom of a computer mouse pad, filter side on the pad, then pressed down (to push the filter into the pad, thus securing it) and turned the lens.</p>

<p>If this filter remover tool is as you describe, I think you can go to Auto-Zone to get buy an oil filter remover wrench for $5-10. :) It's just a rubber band with grooves on it for traction.</p>

<p>It may sound funny but try taking it off using the other hand.</p>

<p>Just a piece of rubber will do, rubber band, rubber gloves etc. It's all about the grip, not force.</p>

<p>Maybe a small drop of liquid wrench to loosen things up a bit. Wanrning! I havge never done this before just a suggestion. I like the mouse pad idea however this would not work for me as when mine stuck it was a circular polorizer where the front element is designed to turn.<br>

Good Luck</p>

Rubber band method worked very well. Thanks everyone!

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<p>Maybe a small drop of liquid wrench to loosen things up a bit.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Don't do that. Any liquid near front lens is not a good idea.</p>

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<p>Don't do that. Any liquid near front lens is not a good idea.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Especially stuff like "liquid wrench" and WD40! However, I've used lens cleaning fluid many times to clean a dirty front element with great success. </p>

<p>Yes, but when you use lens cleaning fluid you put it on a cloth first, not directly on a lens. If my lenses get really dirty I use ethanol on cloth but I'd never use any liquid nearby front element (especially oily one...). Taking apart 17-40 to get under front lens (unlike in some other lenses) is quite a lot of work, so Anders - don't use any liquids even if you're desperate.</p>

<p>the same rubber band concept worked for my 2+ hour task of removing a water pump from the pulley....wow so easy - less force :)</p>

<p>@Michael: Don't worry, I would <em>never</em> use "liquid wrench" on a lens. Again, the rubber band method worked very -- surprisingly -- well. A standard green one fits snugly around a 77mm filter and it's probably a good idea to keep one in the camera bag. Besides, I'm impressed by the sealing of the 17-40 (which of course mandates a protective filter). The 50D managed the sand adventure well too even though the SET button felt a little mushy for a few days. Case closed. Thanks, again.</p>

<p>Though the problem is solved I'd like to make another suggestion if the rubberband doesn't work for someone else.</p>

<p>I read on photo.net about someone that twisted a filter off using a mouse mat (or similar flat rubber surface) on a flat table, pressed the lens with the filter flat on the mat and then crewed it right off. Never using more than slight pressure while he was at it.</p>

<p>Look for a set of filter wrenches. They come in two sizes -- 48-58 and 62-77 -- and retail for <$5.00/set. I won't leave home without 'em!</p>

<p>Henry Posner<br /> <strong>B&H Photo-Video</strong></p>

<p>I tried to post this before, but must not have completed the process since I can't imagine there was anything in it that a moderator would have deleted,<br /> BUT Matthijs' suggestion was the one I was going to recommend. Here in the US, banks and such, and other advertisers give away thin rubber jar openers, like the ones shown below. You use them by pressing flat on the rim of the filter from above and twisting your wrist, which avoids distortion of the ring even better than the lens wrenches, as a rule--and they fit all sizes</p><div></div>

<p>The rubber jar opener, mouse mat methods seem like a more efficient update of the palm of the hand method. </p>

<p>http://www.adorama.com/FLFWB.html?sid=1246918155555307&searchinfo=filter+wrench<br>

Similar at B&H. Cheap. Flimsy. Usually works and can beat the rubber band if that does not work.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>A very effective way of removing a lid from a jar is to heat the lid by placing the whole thing upside down in a saucer of hot water so that only the lid is heated and consequently expands, loosening the thread.<br>

Applying the same principle to a filter and a lens which, unlike the jar, has the female (outside) part of the thread, would be to place the lens and filter upside down in freezing water so that only the filter is covered.<br>

It sounds a bit bizarre, but I hope it works.</p>

<p>JDM is right on. The rubber jar openers are great. They can usually be found at the local grocery store for about 1.99$ Great to keep in your camera bag.</p>

<p>i had the same problem with a filter on my 24-70, i put the lens cap back on and it came of real easytry that it worked for me !</p>

<p>I once had a B&W 81B warming filter stuck in the threads of a Hoya polarizer for months. I couldn't get them unstuck no matter what I tried. Then I was shooting in the cold in the mountains and they "magically" unscrewed. I'm not saying put your 17-40/4L lens in the freezer but for stacked filters this will work.</p>

<p>Its not a good idea to stick a nice lens in a tub of ice water. The secret is as others suggest to not use liquids. Much better would be to use a blowtorch, or even a wielding torch. Make sure you have the acetylene and O2 cranked as high as they go, and then just focus the flame on the lens barrel. It will quickly expand!</p>

<p>It seems obvious to me that one would not dump oil onto the lens, or stick it in cold water. If anything goes wrong, these will both lead to very sad stories that will again be posted on this site.</p>

<p>I have had great success unscrewing stubborn filters using the rubber sole of one of my shoes. Same idea as the rubber mat, but it is always with me.<br>

Also, I asked a nurse at a blood lab once for an extra sample of the wide rubber strips they wrap around your arm as a sort of tourniquet when they draw blood. I cut it into two pieces. It also works quite well. Even helps when I have screwed a flash too snugly into a flash shoe and have trouble loosening it.</p>

rubber gloves, those used to clean bathrooms or kitchens, easy to find at home.